Water softening apparatus



April 10, 1934. A, J DQTTERWEIQH 1 1,954,406

WATER SOFI'ENING APPARATUS Filed July 8, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I )vvewrak -aw bwm tkr April 10, 1934. A. J. DOTTERWEICH WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed July 8, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M UE April 10, 1934. A. J. DOTTERWEI CH WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed July 8, 1924 3 sheetsisheet 5 Patented Apr. 10, I I l UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Andrew J. Dotterweich, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor;

by mesne assignments, to General Water Treatment. Corporation, New York, N. Y., a

- corporation of Delaware Application July 8, 1924, Serial No. 724,804

' 47 Claims. (01. 210-24) The invention described herein relates to cerports 24 and 25. in the walls of the chambers 7 tain improvements -in the practice of softening and 8 may be brought into register with the ports water as described and claimed in an applica- 22 and 23. This timing tank, by means of which, tion Serial No. 647,607 filed by me March 7, 1934. the duration of the backwashing period is de-.

The invention is hereinafter more fully described termined, as hereinafter described, is connected 60 and claimed. by branches 26 and 27 to a pipe 28 extending to In the accompanying drawings forming a part a drain or sewer. As shown, the branches are of this specification, Fig. 1 illustrates diagramconnected at different levels to the tank and the matically a valve mechanism, its operating motor, lower branch 27 is provided with a valve 29 wheresolenoids, and controlling circuits, for regulating by the flow through the branch 27 relative .to the 65 the flow of water to and from a tank containing inflow through pipe 19, may be regulated.

a water softening material in the proper sequence The brine tank C has an outlet port 30 connectfor softening the water, backwashing the mateed by a pipe 31 to the pipe 9 extending as stated rial, regenerating the material, and removing the from the water supply. The flow through the brine from the material and resuming the softport 30 is controlled bya valve 32. When the lat- 70 ening operation; Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views ter is opened as hereinafter described, the brine of the valve mechanism showing diflerent posiwill be drawn from the tank by the flow of water tions of the movable member; Fig. 4 is a top plan in the pipe 9, and mingling with the water, pass view of the apparatus; Fig. 5 is a sectional ele-' into the tank A.

vation of the brine tank, its outlet valve and op- While anysuitable means may be employed for 75 erating mechanism; in Fig. 6 are shown views oscillating the Valve 6 and m v the brine illustrating the sequence of operation of make trolling valve 32 to open position, it is preferred. and break devices controlling the certain circuits. to employ electrically operated means,- as for ex- In the practice of the invention the shell 1 of ample, solenoids for that purpose. As will be the controlling valve mechanism is preferably seseen by reference to Figs. 1, 2,3, and 4, the movso cured in any suitable manner to the tank A, conable member 6 of the valve mechanism is providtaining the material employed for softening waed with a stem 33 on which is secured oppositely ter, e. g., zeolite, and has ports 2 and 3 in its updisposed arms 34 having their outer ends conper and lower ends in constant cornn'lunication nected to the armatures 35 of the respective coils through pipes 4 and 5 with the tank at points 36 and 37. When the circuits through both coils above and below the body of softening material are broken the valve is returned to normal posiin the tank. The movable memberG of the valve tion by means of springs; 38 and held in such mechanism is. provided with a chamber 7 in conposition by conjoint action of said springs. It

- stant communication with the upper portion of should be understood that when the valve mem- 35 the tank through port 2 and pipe 4, and with a bar 6 is in normal position, water will flow from 'chamber' 8 in constant communication with the e S pp y throu h the mate al in ta A to the lower portion of the 'tank through port 3 and point of use. pipe 5. A pipe 9 extending from the water sup- Before proceeding with the description of the ply is connected by branches 10 and 11 t0v inlet circu ts p fly attention is called the fact 4 ports :12 and 13 in the valve casing '6, said ports that for the sake of clearness of'illustration, make .95

' being solocated-in such relation to the chambers and break devices, which are Op r by and in '1 and 8 in the member that inlet. ports 14 and 15 accordance with the movements of the valve are through the walls of the respective chambers may shown separated therefrom in the diagram, il-

' be brought into register with the respective ports) lustrating the circuits .(Fig. 1) The circuit for 5 12 and 13 by the movement of the member 6 as the coil 36 consists. starting from the generator hereinafter described. Apipe 16 extendsfrom an 100, of the conductors 39, 40 and 41, terminals .outlet port 17 in the valve shell or casing to a. 42; contact plate 43, conductor 44,'coil36, com point of use. said port being so located that; an ductors 45,46, terminal 4'1, contact plate 48, con outlet port 18in the wall of the lower chamber ductors 49'and 50 to generator. The contact plate 5g of 'the member 6 may be brought into egister 43 for connecting the terminals 42 is carriedv by therewith, as hereinafter described. a disc 51 on the valve stem 33,-and thecontact A pipe 19 extends from a timing tank 3 and is plate 48 is carried by an oscillating head 52 operconnectedby branches 20 and 21 to ports 22 and ative by and in accordance with the changes or 23 in the vailvecaslng, said ports being so located level of water in the timing tank B. The head 55 that by the proper movementsof the member 8 52 is loosely mounted on ashatt 53 as isalso one end of an arm 54 which extends down into the tank B and carries a float 55. The head 52 and arm 54 are connected at points distant from their center of movement by a spring 56 so that when the float moves up such a distance that the spring passes above the shaft 53, the head 52 will be raised thereby shifting the plate 48 out of contact with the terminals 47.

As shown in Fig. 1 the circuit above described is normally open, but in order to start the operation involved in regenerating, a by-circuit 57 including a suitable hand operated switch 58 is employed for closing and holding closed the described circuit until by the movement of the valve 6 the plate 43 is shifted into contact with the terminals 42. On the closure of the switch 58, the solenoid 36 will be excited and its armature drawn in thereby through the arm 34 shifting the valve 6 to the position shown in Fig. 2, moving the port 14a out of alinement with the port 12, andmoving the port 15 into register with the port 13, and the port 24 into register with the port 22. When the valve is in this position, water from the supply will flow into the chamber 8 of the valve, thence through port 3 to the lower end of the tank A, up through the tank pipe 4 and port 2 into the chamber 7 of the valve carrying with it any foreign matter deposited in the charge of regenerating material in the tank. From the chamber 7 the water will flow through the ports 24 and 22 and pipe 19 to the timing tank from which the water will flow first through branch 27 and pipe 28 to a drain. The valve 29 in branch 27 isso adjusted that the rate of escape of water will be less than the inflow from the treating tank A, until the" water rises in the tank tothe level of the branch 26. As the water rises in the tank the float 55 will be lifted until the spring 56 passes above the shaft 53 and shifts the head 52 in a direction to move the plate 48 away from the terminals47, thereby breaking the circuit through the solenoid 36 and permitting the arm 34 and valve 6 to be shifted by the spring 38 to normal position, stopping the flow of water to the timing tank. It will be readily understood that by the adjustment of the valve 29 the duration of the backwashing can be varied as desired. The return of the valve to normal following the movement of the head 52 as above described, will move the disc 51 to the position shown in Fig. 1 thereby moving the plate 43 out of contact with the terminals 42.

The backwashing is followed by the admission of brine to the tank A for regenerating the material contained therein. The admission of the brine is effected by a movement of the valve 6 in a direction the reverse of that whereby the backwashing is effected, and hence provision is made for energizing the solenoid 37 immediately subsequent to the breaking of the circuit through the solenoid 36. The circuit of the solenoid consists, starting from the generator 100, of the conductors 50, 59, terminals 60, contact plate 61, conductor 62, solenoid 63, conductor 64, solenoid 37, conductor 65, terminals 66, contact plate 67, conductor 68 and 39 to generator. The contact plate 61 is secured to head 69 provided with a tail 70 and so pivotally mounted that the end of the tail will be engaged to shift the head by a cam projection 71 on the disc 51 on the stem 33 of the valve 6. Springs 72 are employed for returning the head to mid position after being shifted by the cam. The sequence of the movements of the contact plates 43 and 61 in making and breaking the described circuits of the solenoids 36 and 51 is illustrated by the several views included in Fig. 6. View a shows the normal relative positions'of the several parts, i. e.,. during the softening period. When the circuit of solenoid 36 is closed by the operation of the switch 58, as hereinbefore described, the disc 51 is rotated in the direction of the arrow causing the plate 43 to contact with the terminals 42. This movement of the disc moves the head 69 to the right sufficiently far to permit the cam 71 to pass under the end of the tail and the head be returned to mid position by the springs 72. When the circuit through solenoid 36 is opened by the described movement of the head 52, the valve 6 and the disc will be shifted by a spring 38 to normal position. This movement of the disc in the direction indicated by the arrows in views d and e, Fig. 6, will shift the head 69 to the left, thereby bringing the plate 61 on the head into contact with the terminals 60. As shown in Fig. 1 the plate 67 forming part of the described circuit of solenoid 37 is so secured to the head 52 that when the latter is raised as the water in the timing tank reaches a predetermined level to break the circuit through solenoid 36, the plate 67 will be moved into contact with the terminals 66 of the circuit of the solenoid 36. Thus it will be seen that the movements of the parts whereby one circuit is broken, will eiiect the closing of the other circuit.

The movement of the valve 6 due to the energizing of the solenoid 3'7 will bring a port 140. in the wall of the chamber '7 into alinement with the port 12 connected as described to the branch 10 in the water supply pipe 9 and a port 25 in the wall of chamber 8 will register with the ports 23 in the valve shell connected to the tank B, as shown in Fig. 3. Simultaneous with the closing of the circuit through solenoid 37, the valve 32 controlling the flow of brine from the tank C into the supply pipe 9, is opened. The valve 32 (Fig. 5) is connected to a lever 73 forming the armature of the electro-magnet or solenoid 63. The valve 6 being in the position above described and shown in Fig. 3, the flow of the brine will be'down through tank A into tank B and thence to a drain. Suitable means for controlling the duration of flow of brine through the tank are employed, such for example as that shown in Fig. 1. Suitably spaced terminals 74 are inserted into the pipe 28 leading to the drain. These terminals form portions of a circuit including an electro-magnet 75. This branch circuit will be closed by the presence of salt in the water flowing through the drain. From the legs of the circuit through the solenoid extend conductors 76 and 77, hav

ing terminals in operative relation to the armature 78 of the electro-magnet 75 which'is drawn into contact with the terminals on the closure of the branch circuit by the salt water.

The conductors 76 and 77 and armatures 78 form a short circuit around the electro-magnet 63, so that as soon as salt water electrically connects the terminals 74 the valve 32 will be closed by a spring 73a connected to the lever 73.

4 80 so located that when the lever is shifted to open the brine valve the main circuit.

It will be understood that the contact plate 61 is made of such a length that circuit completed thereby will remain closed sufliciently long to permit of the lever 73 being shifted and the plate 79 moved into contact with the terminals60 of the supplemental circuit. When the electro-magnet 63 is short circuited on the com- 32, the plate' will close pletion of the circuit through the electro-mag net as hereinbefore described, the lever will be shifted by its spring and the plate 79 moved from contact with the terminals 80 of the supplemental circuit and "thereafter the circuit.

through the solenoid is controlled by the magnet 75 and will remain closed as long as the 'water flowing to the drain contains suflicient salts to render it conductive. As soon as the water free from salt flows through the drain, the magnet 75 will become de-energized and the armature 78 will be shifted by its spring away from the terminals of conductors 76 and 77 thereby opening the circuit through the solenoid 37 thereby permitting the valve 6 to be shifted by its spring, 38, to'normal positionin which position water will flow through the tank A- and softened water will flow to the point of use.

As the switch 58 by the closure of which the regenerating operations are initiated, may be located at a distance from the apparatus, a signal is provided adapted to indicate the movement of the valve 6 to position for backwashing. This signal 80 is preferably electrically operated and is connected across the circuit of the solenoid 36 as shown in Fig. l. A signal 81 is also provided to indicate that the valve 6 is in position. for directing brine and wash water to the tank A, said signal which may be audible or visual has its circuit connected across the circuit of th solenoid 37. d

The operation of the. apparatus in the regeneration of the softening material and the softening period is briefly as follows:

Assuming that the softener is exhausted an ready to be regenerated, the operation of regeneration is initiated by pressing the push button station 58.' This energizes the solenoid 36 which actuates the valve 6 to move it from the mid position to cause water to enter chamber 8 from which it passes down through the lower inlet 5 thence upwardly through the zeolite material to' backwash it and out at the upper outlet 4 to chamber 7 from which it is conducted through the piping 19 to the timing tank and thence. through the outlets 26 and 27 to the drain. I

with the shifting of the. valve6, the contact 43 closes the terminals 42 to take the place of inithe. conductor 19 the excess flowing to the tank will gradually fill the same, the filling of the tank requiring a predetermined length of time, and

when full, the water will escape to the drain eventually to the drain.

line. 16.

through the upper outlet 26 which is sufliciently large to permit the excess water to escape.-

The filling of tank B will cause the float 55 to lift, which in turn shifts the member 52 to bring the movable contacts 67 into contact with the member 66 at the same time opening contacts 47 which control the solenoid 36. In making the contact at 66, solenoid 37 which controls the salting and flushing operations, becomes energized and actuates the valve 6 to move it to the opposite side, thus permitting the water and salt solutions to pass through the pipe 9 to the upper chamber 7, thence through the upper inlet 4 and down through the zeolite bed from which it passes from the lower outlet 5 into chamber 8, thence through pipe 19-to tanlgB and subsequently through the drain. Simultaneously with the energizing of the solenoid 37, the movable contact 61 is brought into engagement with the stationary contact 60 for a sufficient length of time to cause the circuit controlling the solenoid 63 of the salt tank to become energized whereby a supplemental circuit is established by the contacts made through the actuation of the solenoid 63. When this supplemental circuit is established, contacts a 60 are broken by the member 51 which operates the movable contact member 70 and the latter in the mid position of valve 6, closes contact 60 and in the off position, that is, when either'of the solenoids 36 or 37 is energized, opening the contacts at 60. v

With the solenoid 63 energized, salt is drawn from the brine tank through the softener and The terminals '74 in the drain line having in circuit the magnets 75 is adjusted to energize the latter when a brine solution is passing to the drain, the brine solution being the shunting element in establishing the circuit across the terminals 74. When such a brine solution passes through the drain, the solenoid 63 becomes short circuited, but the 'sole noid 37 controlling the flow of brine to the drain will remain energized.

With solenoid 63 short circuited, the spring 73a closes the salt valve at the same time opening the contacts controlling solenoid 63. Eventually when the'salt is washedout of the soft- .ener and the drain, the circuit across the terminal 74 can no longer be maintained, thus 'permitting the contact 78 to open thecircuit controlling the solenoid 37, whereby the valve 6 moves into mid-position to which it -is normally biased by springs, this position being the posi'-, tion in which the softening apparatus is again rendered operative and in which position the water will passthrough the line 9 into chamber 7 thence to the'top inlet down through the zeolite bed and out at the lower inlet 5 into chamber 8 and to the point of use through the pipe I claim herein as my invention:

1. In an apparatus for softening water, the

softening water, a timing tank, a reversible valve mechanism, means for shifting the valve to a and means operative by and in accordance withchanges of level of water in the timing tank for shifting the valve to permit water to flow to the upper end of the softening tank without checking the flow of water from the tank.

2, In a water softening apparatus the combicombination of a tank containing material for nation of a tank containing material for softening water, a timing tank, a valve mechanism for controlling the flow of water from a supply to the softening tank and from the latter to the timing tank, means for regulating the discharge of Water from the timing tank, and a float in said tank, and means operative by the float for shifting said valve mechanism.

3. In a water softening apparatus the combination of a tank containing material for softening water, a timing tank, a valve mechanism for controlling the flow of water from a supply to the softening tank and from the latter to the timing tank, said timing tank having vertically spaced outlets having a united discharge capacity of not less thanthe rate of flow to the tank, a valve in the lower outlet, a float arranged in the tank and means operative by said float for shifting thevalve controlling the flow from the softening tank to the timing tank.

4. In a water softening apparatus comprising a tank containingmaterial for' softening water, a source of water connected to the tank, a drawoff pipe leading to a point of use, a draw-off pipe leading to a waste point, a valve mechanism controlling said draw-off pipes, a source of brine for regenerating the softening material, valves for controlling the flow of brine through the softening material and out the draw-off pipe to the waste point, and an electrically operated signal controlled by a. circuit closed by brine in the draw-off to waste pipe, whereby the signal indicates completion of passage of brine from the softening tank by breaking of the said circuit.

5. In a water softening apparatus having a brine tank and a softening tank and a circulating system of piping therefor, valve mechanism therefor having a valve controlling circulation from the brine tank to the softening tank and a valve controlling circulation from the softening tank to a waste pipe, magnets for actuating said valves, and a switch controlled circuit for said magnets including a short circuit connection with an electrode in the circulating piping for short circuiting the circuit of the magnet for the brine valve.

6. In a water softening apparatus having a brine tank and a softening tank and a circulating system of piping therefor, valve mechanism therefor having a valve adapted to control circulation from the brine tank to the softening tank and a valve adapted to control circulation from the softening tank to a waste pipe, magnets for actuating said valves and a switch controlled circuit for said magnets including a short circuiting connection with an electrode in the waste pipe whereby the magnet for the first valve is de-energized and the magnet for the second valve is retained in the circuit.

'7. In a water softening apparatus having a brine tank and a softening tank and a circulating system of piping therefor, valve mechanism therefor having a valve adapted to control circulation-from the brine tank to the softening tank and a valve adapted to control circulation from the softening tank to a waste pipe, magnets for actuating said valves, an energizing circuit therefor, and an electrode in the circulating system connected with said circuit for short circuiting the magnet of the valve controlling circulation from the brine tank to the softening tank whereby the magnet for the first valve is de-energized and the magnet for the second valve is retained in the circuit.

8. In a water softening apparatus having 9.

softening tank and a brine tank, and a circulat ing system of piping therefor, valve mechanism for controlling circulation from the brine tank to the softening tank, a valve controlling circulation from the softening tank, and electro-magnetic means responsive to the relative conductivity of the fluid flowing from the softening tank for actuating said control valves.

9. In a water softening apparatus having a softening tank and a brine tank and a circulating system of piping therefor, means for circulating brine through the softening tank to regenerate the softening material and electrically operated means responsive to the relative conductivity of the fluid flowing from the softening tank for terminating the flow of brine to the softening tank.

10. In a water softening apparatus having a softening tank and a brine tank, and a circulating system of piping therefor, a valve controlling circulation from the brine tank to the softening tank, a valve controlling circulation from the softeningtank to a waste pipe, magnets for actuating said valves, and a switch controlled circuit for said magnets including a short circuit connection with an electrode in the waste pipe for short circuiting the circuit of the magnet for the brine valve. 1

11. In a water softening apparatus having a softening tank and a brine tank, and a circulating system of piping therefor, a valve controlling circulation from the brine tank to the softening tank, a valve controlling circulation from the softening tank to a waste pipe, magnets for actuating said valves, and a switch controlled circuit for said magnets including a short circuit connection with an electrode in the waste pipe;

whereby the magnet for the first valve is deenergized and the magnet for the second valve is retained in the circuit.

12. In a water softening apparatus having a softening tank and a brine tank, and a circulating system of piping therefore, means for circulating brine through the softening tank to regenerate the soften ng material and electrically operated means responsive to the relative conductivity of the fluid flowing from the system for initiating the flow of water to flush out the brine solution.

13. In a water softening apparatus having a softening tank, a brine tank, and piping therefor, a drain leading from said softening tank, valve mechanism controlling .the circulation from the brine tank to the softening tank, and electrically operated means responsive to the relative electrlcal conductivity of the fluid flowing to the drain for operating said valve mechanism toterminate the flow of brine to the softening tank.

14. In a water softening apparatus having a softening tank, a brine tank and piping therefor,-

a drain leading from said softening tank, valve mechanism controlling the circulation from the brine tank tothe softening tank, and electrically operated means responsive .to the character of the fluid flowing to the drain for operating said valve mechanism to terminate the flow of brine to the softening tank.

15. In a water softening apparatus having a ing said valve mechanism to determine the volume of brine flowing to the softening tank.

16. In a water softening apparatus having a softening tank, a brine tank, and piping therefor, a. drain leading from said softening tank, electrically operated means controlling the flow of fluid from the brine tank to the softening tank and electrodes disposed in the drain leading from the softening tank and adapted to control said electrically operated means for determining the volume of brine solution passing to said softening tank.

17. In a water softening apparatus having a softening tank, a brine tank and piping there for, a drain leading from said softening tank,

1 electrically operated means controlling the flow operated means to initiate the flow of flush out water to the softening tank.

19. In a water. softening apparatus having a softening tank, a brine tank and piping therefor, a drain leading from the said softening tank, electrically operated means controlling the flow of fluid from the brine tank to the softening tank and for controlling the flow of flush out water to the softening tank and electrodes disposed in the drain leading from the softening tank and adapted to control said electrically operated means to determine the volume of brine passing to said softening tank and the volume of flush I to out water passing through the softening tank.

20. In a. water softening apparatus a softening tank, a brine tank, a system of piping therefor, valves controlling the flow of brine from the brine tank to the softening tank and flush out water to the softening tank, and means for controlling the said valves, said means being responsive to the character of water flowing to the drain to terminate the flow of brine to the softening tank to initiate the flow of flush out water to the softening tank, to terminate the flow of flush out water to the softening tank, and to restore the softener to normal operation of softening water passing from a source of water supply to a point of use. I g. I 21. In awater softening apparatus, a tank containing softening material, a salt tank and system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the fiow of fluid through said piping and electrical means responsive to the changein character of the water passing from the softener tank for actuating said valve mechanism to determine the duration of the period of salting and to determine the duration of the period of washing.

22. In a water softening apparatus, a tank containing softening material, a salt tank and system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping and electrical means responsive to the change in character of the water passing from the softener tank for actuating said valve mechanism to determine the duration of the period of salting, to

5 and subsequently cause the apparatus to be retaining softening material, a tank containing material for regenerating the softening material, a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, means for actuating said valve mechanism and means'controlled by the fluid flowing from said softener tank causing said valve mechanism to operate and terminate the flow of regenerating material to the softening material.

24. In a water softening apparatus, a. tank containing softening material, a tank containing material for regenerating the softening material, asystem of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, and means controlled by the fluid flowing from said softener tank for actuating said valve mechanism to terminate the flow of regenerating material to the softening material and for actuating saidvalve mechanism to terminate washing of the softening material.

25. In a water softening apparatus, a tank containing softening material, a tank containing material for regenerating the softening material, a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through saidpiping and means controlled by the fluid flowing from said softener tank for actuating said valve mechanism to terminate the flow of regenerating material to the softener material, to initiate the period of washing and subsequently for actuating said mechanism to terminate the washing of the softening material.

26., In a water softening apparatus, a tank containing softening material, a tank containing material forregenerating the softening material, a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, means controlled by the fluid flowing from said softener tank to actuate said valve mechanism to terminate the flow of regenerating ma terial to the softening material to actuate said valve Inechanismto terminate. washing of the softening material and subsequently to cause the a paratus to be restored-to the softening operation.

27. In a water softening apparatus, a tank containing softening material, a tank containing material for regenerating the softening material, a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, means controlled by the fluid flowing from said softener tank for actuating said valve mech-' anism to terminate the flow of regenerating material to the softening material, to initiate the periodof washing, to terminate the washing of the softening material and subsequently to cause the apparatus to be restored to the softening opanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, means controlled by the fluid flowing from said softener tank for actuating said valve mechanism to determine the volume of regenerating material passing to the softener-tank.

29. In a water softening apparatus, a tank containing softening material, a tank containing material for regenerating the softening material, a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, and means controlled by the fluid flowing from said softener tank for actuating said valve mechanism to determine the volume of regenerating material passing to the softener tank and to control the volume of wash Water passing from said softener tank.

30. In a water softening apparatus, a tank containing softening material, a tank containing material for regenerating the softening material, a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, and means controlled by the fluid flowing from said softener tank for actuating said valve mechanism, to control the volume of regenerating material passing to the softener tank, to terminate the flow of regenerating material, to the softener tank, to initiate the flow of wash water through said softening tank, to control the volume of wash water passing through said softening tank, to terminate the flow of wash water through said softening tank and subsequently to cause the apparatus to be restored to the softening operation.

31. In a water softening apparatus, a tankcontaining softening material, a tank containing material for regenerating the softening material, a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping and means controlled by the fluid flowing from said softener tank for actuating said valve mechanism to initiate the flow of regenerating material to the softening material, to terminate the flow of regenerating material to the softening tank, to initiate the flow of wash water through said softener tank to terminate the flow of wash water and subsequently to cause the apparatus to be restored to the softening operation.

32. In a water softening apparatus, a tank containing softening material, a brine tank containing material for regenerating the softening material, a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, and means controlled by the fluid flowing from said softener tank for actuating said valve mechanism to initiate the period of salting, to control the volume of brine passing to the softener tank, to terminate the flow of brine to the softener tank, to initiate the flow of wash water through said softener tank, tocontrol the volume of wash water passing through said softener tank, to terminate the flow of wash water through said softener tank and subsequently to cause the apparatus to be restored to the softening operation.

33. In a water softening apparatus, a container for softening material, a tank containing material for regenerating the softening material,

a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, means responsive to the character of the fluid flowing from said softening material for actuating said valve mechanism to terminate the flow of regenerating material to the softening material and subsequently to initiate the period passing to the softener, to terminate the flow of regenerating material to the softening material, to initiate the period of washing, to control the volume of wash water passing through the softener tank, to terminate the flow of wash water through the softener and subsequently to cause the apparatus to be restored to the softening position.

35. In an automatic water softening apparatus, a container for a softening material, a tank containing material for regenerating the softening material, a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, electrical means for actuating said valve mechanism and means operative by the fluid flowing from said softener tank for breaking a circuit connecting said electrical means whereby delivery of the regenerating material to the softening means is terminated:

36. In an automatic water softening apparatus, a container for a softening material, a tank containing material for regenerating the softening material, a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid from the tank containing the regenerating material to the container for the softening material, from the source of supply to the softening material to a point of use and to a drain, means to initiate a cycle of operations in which the apparatus passes through regeneration and returns to normal, and means controlled by flow of a predetermined volume of water from the softening tank for timing the flow of regenerating material to the softener tank after the cycle has been initiated.

37. In a water softening apparatus, a tank containing softening material, a brine tank and a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, said mechanism being responsive to the passage of a predetermined quantity of water through the softening material to terminate the flow of such water and to initiate the period of salting, and means controlled by the fluid flowing from said softener tank for actuating said valve mechanism to determine the volume of brine passing to the softener tank, to terminate the flow of brine to the softener tank, to initiate the flow of wash water through said softening tank, to determine the volume of wash water passing through said softening tank, to terminate the flow of wash water through said softening tank and subsequently to cause the apparatus to be restored to the softening position.

38. In a water softening apparatus, a tank containing softening material, a salt tank and a system of piping therefor, valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid through said piping, said mechanism being responsive to the passage of a predetermined quantity of water through the softening material to terminate the flow of such water and to initiate the period of salting, and means responsive to the character of the fluid flowing from said softening material for actuating said valve mechanism to terminate a flow of water and to initiate the period of salting, and means responsive to the character of the fluid flowing from said softening material for actuating said valve mechanism to determine the volume of brine passing to the softening tank, to terminate the flow of brine to the softener tank, to initiate the flow of wash water through said softening tank, to determine the volume of wash water passing through said softening tank, to terminate the flow of wash water through said softening tank and subsequently to cause the apparatus to be restored to the softening position.'

40. In a water softener having a c'rculation system for normally flowing water to be softened through the softener to a service pipe and for flowing regenerating solution and water successively through the softener to a drain for regenerating and flushing operations, valves controlling said system, an electromagnet having a circuit controlled by the drain effluent, and means controlled by said magnet to'close a valve controlling the admission of regenerating solution to the softener and to retain open a valve controlling flow from the softener to-the drain.

41. In a water softener having a circulation system for normally flowing water to be softened through the softener to a service pipe and for flowing regenerating solution and water, successively through the softener to a drain for regenerating and flushing operations, valves controlling said system, an electromagnet having a circuit controlled by the drain effluent, and means controlled by said magnet to hold the valves in regenerating position during the regenerating period and to set the valves for flushing at the termination of said'period.

A2. In a water softener having a circulation system for normally flowing water to be softened through the softener to a service. pipe and for flowing regenerating solution and water successively through the softener to a drain for regenerating and flushing operations, valves controlling said system, an electromagnet having a circuit controlled by the drain effluent, and means controlled by said magnet to change the valves from position for regeneration to position forflushing and retain them in the latter position during the flushing period and then to set the valves for softening operation.

43. In a Water softener having a circulation system for normally flowing water to be softened through the softener to a service pipe and for flowing regenerating solution and water succes sively through the softener to a drain for regenerating and flushing operations, valves controlling said system, an'electromagnet controlled by the drain effluent, the control of said magnet determining the periods for setting the valves to terminate regeneration and flushing respectively, and means controlled bysa d magnet for setting the valves for flushing at the termination of .tion during discharge of a the regenerating period and for setting the valves for softening operation at the termination of the flushing period.

44. In a water softener having connections for supplying water and brine thereto and service and drain delivery connections, a normally closed brine valve, a normally open service valve and normally closed drain valve, valve controlling 4 means operable to open the brine valve and drain valve and close the service valve, and an electromagnet controlled by the drain'effiuent and con-' trolling the said means to close the brine valve and retain the drain and service valves respectively open and closed for a flushing operation.

45. In a water softener having connections for supplying water and brine thereto and service and drain delivery connections, a normally closed brine valve, a normally open service valve and normally closed drain valve, valve controlling means operable to open the brine valve and drain valve and close the service valve, and an electromagnet controlled by the drain effluent and controlling the said means to close the brine valve and retain the drain and service valves respectively open and closed for a flushing operation and then to close the drain valve and open the service valve.

46. In a water softener having means for flowing brine and water successively through .the softener to a drain for regeneration and flushing, an electromagnet having a circuit controlled by the effluent discharged to the drain to energize said magnet effectively during discharge of a briney effluent and to cease effective energizafresh water effluent, and means controlled by said magnet to stop the flow of brine to the softener when the magnet becomes effectively energized and to terminate the flushing operation when the magnet loses its effective energization.

47. In a water softener having water supply and brine supply connection and service and drain delivery connections, a normally closed brine valve, valve means normally opening the service connection and closing the drain connection, the said brine valve and valve means being operable to establish a flow of brine through the softener to the drain with the service connection closed, an electromagnet having a circuit controlled by the efiluent discharged to the drain to energize said magnet effectively during the discharge of a briney effluent and to cease effective energization during dscharge of a fresh water effluent, and means controlled by the magnet to close the brine valve when the magnet becomes energized and to maintain the said valve means in position to keep the drain connection open and the service connection closed until the magnet ceases to be effectively energized and then to restore said valve means to normal position.

' ANDREW J. DOTTERWEICI-I. 

